Spring Training Miscellany: Constructing a Roster, Bellinger Confidence, Seiya Blasts, Smyly’s Revenge, Dex Stops By, More
Today manager David Ross announced his first two pitchers of the spring, with Marcus Stroman and Adrian Sampson going back-to-back for the opener on Saturday against the Giants. You know it’s getting really close …
- Speaking of Ross, I liked this quote from him over at the Sun-Times, talking about the depth you need to win, and how “making the team” out of Spring Training – or not – doesn’t mean it’s over by any stretch:
“You try to look at setting the team up for long-term success and the player up for long-term success. Obviously, roster construction, and option [years], and all those things matter in how the end result plays out. But what I know about winning baseball is it takes more than the 26 guys that break camp. It takes 30,40, 50 guys to have success.”
- Cody Bellinger took Drew Smyly way deep in live BP today, and David Ross talked about the confidence boost you get from seeing your offseason work show up in batting practice (even if it’s only batting practice):
- Nice to hear that Bellinger’s teammates were also watching his BP and celebrating the line drives with him.
- As for Smyly, I guess he took out his Bellinger-induced rage on Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki:
- Needed one more potato chip:
- More video on the Bellinger homer, and then two MONSTER shots from Seiya Suzuki:
- 0-2 pop out to second base:
- I think this must’ve specifically been a scoop drill, because otherwise why wouldn’t you just stretch and catch this one in the air:
- GET AWAY FROM ME, I HAVE GAS:
- A good old friend stopped by camp today:
- And old friend Miguel Montero is doing work for the Diamondbacks on a fun little bike:
- Loads more visuals from Cubs camp today:
